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Fake, but nonetheless touching: Lin Dan `purportedly` writes emotional letter to great rival Lee Chong Wei after Rio clash
After their epic semi-final clash in men`s singles tournament at Rio Games, two-time Olympic gold medallist purportedly wrote a letter to the Malaysian celebrating their rivalry.
New Delhi: At the Rio Olympics 2016, Lee Chong Wei finally managed to get one better than his great rival Lin Dan. But the world number from Malaysian still ended up losing a third straight final.
After their epic semi-final clash in men's singles tournament at Rio Games, two-time Olympic gold medallist purportedly wrote a letter to the Malaysian celebrating their rivalry, which is regarded as the greatest in the sports, and also sharing words of encouragement.
But that touching letter turned out to a pure work of fan fiction. Understandable, considering their larger than life rivalry.
The letter, supposedly from Super Dan, originally written in Chinese, was translated into English and Bahasa Malaysia and went viral on social media.
According to reports, the fake letter originally appeared on an online news portal (hype.my), which translated into, “If they were to write a letter to each other, what would they say?”
Anyway, here's the excerpts from that brilliant effort from the unnamed fan:
“I’m still quite thankful to you. Besides all the wins and championships, there’s still a warm ‘Lin-Lee’ relationship linked with my name. We can be like Ronaldo and Messi, Larry Bird and Magic Johnson, Federer and Nadal, eternal because of each other’s existence.
“Because of you, only there exists a better me. I’ve gotten almost all possible championships, yet still do not dare to put down the defence and slack.
“I could have sang 'it is lonely to be undefeated' (rough translation of a song name), if not for you being there, the one forcing cold sweat from me, the one facing me every time we went to the finals with you across the net.
“You went all out to chase me, it’s not like I could let you just surpass me like that. You trained, I trained. You wouldn’t accept losing, I didn’t dare slack.
“The 37th time I meet you across the net, it’s already gone a whole round since our first. Truthfully, when I slipped and lost to you, I had no regrets.
“You are my greatest rival, I am willing to lose to you, without regrets. When I hugged you, I really felt as if the past ten years with you, had been but a dream.
“I will take your jersey to my future child and tell him: ‘There is an uncle known as Lee Chong Wei, your dad’s greatest rival, and also best friend.’ To meet you in my best years is my luck. Good luck in the finals.”